Raise Your Hand

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“Raise Your Hand” is a monthly editorial column written by high school students and their peers in collaboration with the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Its purpose is to provide a platform for youth voice, particularly DOE students. Since its start in March 2016, over 80 articles have been published in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.

We fervently believe that when youth are allowed to voice their opinions, amazing feats are accomplished. A young adult’s concerns are not only about school lunches, bullies, or the dress code. The younger generation is just as passionate and invested as their adult counterparts in issues facing our world. After all, they are our future leaders.

Blog Posts

In the 1980 presidential election, Ronald Reagan campaigned on the question, “Are you better off today than you were four years ago?” According to a recent Gallup poll, 56% of Americans in 2020 would affirmatively answer that they are better off after four years of Trump’s presidency.

Prior to the pandemic, the nation was already experiencing a youth mental health crisis. According to a nationwide study conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the number of major depressive episodes increased from 12.8% to 15.

Across the nation, students are given a clear picture of success and achievement: Grade Point Average (GPA) and outstanding test scores equate to being set for success. We need to change our thinking and redefine student success so that every achievement is acknowledged, from 4.